Coldwater man arrested for CSC

Wednesday

Sep 3, 2014 at 8:29 AMSep 3, 2014 at 8:29 AM

By Don Reiddwreid@aol.comMASON COUNTY — William Joseph Stempien, 43, of Coldwater was arrested Saturday after a 12- and a 13-year-old girl each reported he sexually molested them while camping along the Pere Marquette River.Stempien is charged with one count of criminal sexual conduct second-degree — a 15-year felony — and one count of CSC fourth-degree, a two-year high court misdemeanor.He is also facing a four-year felony for possession of the controlled narcotic hydrocodone.According to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer on patrol was flagged down just before 5 p.m. Saturday by two young girls claiming they had been sexually assaulted.The conservation officer stayed with the victims until Mason County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived. Using a description obtained by the conservation officer from the girls, a second deputy located the suspect — Stempien — at the Scottville Riverside Park boat launch later Saturday, where he was arrested.Stempien is not related to the victims according to police. The reported victims are also from southern Michigan.When officers arrested Stempien he was found in possession of hydrocodone pills. According to the sheriff the alleged incident took place at a campsite along the Pere Marquette River where the subjects were all camping. The area is just south of U.S. 10 6 miles east of Ludington.Stempien was arraigned and released from jail after posting $50,000 cash-surety bond. A preliminary examination was scheduled for October in Ludington.